The 4th and final skill that featured writer Deren S. Monday wants to pass along to his kids is how to negotiate a deal like Robert Livingston.
Robert Livingston was the key negotiator for the Louisiana Purchase, an 828,800 square mile acquisition by the United States for the sum of $15,000,000 in 1803. Quite a deal, wouldn’t you say?
I want my kids to negotiate with those types of results. Sure, this is not limited to home improvement by any means. It applies to every aspect of life. But it’s nice to get a sweet deal on materials or perhaps good, competitive pricing for a contractors services.
I want my kids to know what they want and go for it. I want them to create a win/win situation for the party they are negotiating with. I want them to be fair and honest in their dealings, while protecting their own interests to the utmost. I want them to have good sense of right and wrong, fair and unfair.I want them to be deal-makers.
What About You?

What do you hope to pass on to your children, or your grandchildren, or the neighbor kids? What lessons from your parents do you value most? Share below, we would love to know…
Deren’s top 4 skills to teach his kids:1. Build a Fence That Rots Before It Falls2. Lay Down a Mean Caulk Bead3. Ninja Spray Painting TechniquesDeren S. Monday has spent over a decade in the residential and commercial construction industry, and is a graduate of the Construction Management Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He is thankful his father has some great years ahead… Deren is the author of Your Cheap Kitchen Remodel: A Guide to Your Affordable Dream Kitchen.

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Timothy’s background includes stints at This Old House, ELLE DECOR, Metropolitan Home and Woman’s Day. His work has been published on Wired Design, Bob Vila, DIY Network, The Family Handyman and Popular Mechanics and he has been featured on the Martha Stewart radio show and as a speaker at the ALT Design Summit, K/BIS and the National Hardware Show.